A loving, kind and patient wife, mother, grandmother and friend who was a role model to many and a peaceful, positive presence in the lives of countless others, Mary Jane McCabe Belt passed away at home on November 3, 2023, at the age of 83.

Born on June 11, 1940, in Riverdale, N.Y., Mary Jane was the third daughter of Bernard (Bobby) McCabe and Elizabeth (Biz) McCabe. She attended St. Gabriel's School followed by high school at Marymount School of New York. During these formative years she made many dear friends with whom she stayed in touch with for the rest of her life.

After graduation, Mary Jane enrolled in Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY. She spent her junior year abroad in Paris, France, at the prestigious Sorbonne University, and graduated in 1962 with a bachelor's degree. She also attended LIU Post and earned a master's degree in gifted and talented education.

A true educator, Mary Jane went on to teach fifth grade at Public School 81 in Riverdale, N.Y., for eighteen years. Later in life, she taught nursery school at St. John's of Lattingtown for nine years.

Mary Jane met her future husband, John Hewlett Keyes Belt, through a mutual friend of their parents, and the two went on to create a large and loving family over the course of 44 years together. They raised daughters Amanda and Laura and step-children Elizabeth, John, and Tim in Glen Cove, NY. They adored each other and modeled what a strong, supportive and loving marriage entailed. Devoted to family above all else, Mary Jane never missed a milestone in the lives of her children or grandchildren.

In between teaching and raising children, Mary Jane spent time volunteering and was active in a myriad of organizations.  She spent ten years tutoring children at the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club, attended the Rosarian Society weekly, was active in the PEO and on the Board of Old Westbury School of the Holy Child. She also spent twenty years volunteering and fundraising for Hospice Care Network. Her charitable work was driven by her love of people, children in particular.

Mary Jane was always quick to listen and slow to talk, but her gift of gab and sharp wit drew people to her. She had the ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room and once you became a friend of Mary Jane's, you were a friend for life.

As someone who found great joy in companionship, Mary Jane was happiest when surrounded by the company of those she loved. She embraced every opportunity to connect, whether through Zoom or over the phone, during her bridge games, on the tennis court or by the beach. Friends and family often joked that "she never liked to miss a party," and was always up for a good time.

She was also an avid traveler, especially hand-in-hand with her husband John. When one trip was over, another was already in the works. From South America to Australia to Russia to Europe, together they explored far-flung corners of the world, often bringing home treasures to add to John's extensive art collection.

Mary Jane and John also took their children on cherished vacations both abroad and throughout the states. A favorite trip was always spent traveling to Ireland to see her beloved second cousins. Mary Jane and her sisters were the matriarchs of their large family, and great memories were made during the many fun-filled Thanksgiving holidays with the McCabe family.

A lifelong woman of faith, Mary Jane was a committed Catholic and parishioner at St. Patrick's Church in Glen Cove, N.Y. She said daily rosary, participated as a Eucharistic Minister during mass, and found great solace, strength, peace and comfort when in the presence of God.

Mary Jane is survived by her step-daughter Elizabeth Belt McGregor (William); step-son John (Woody) H.K. Belt Jr. (Jennifer Payne); step-son Timothy W. Belt (Pamela Snodgrass); daughter Amanda Belt Alsheimer (Alan); daughter Laura Belt Ponomarev (Paul); grandchildren William, Benjamin, Luke, Olivia, Grace, Aidan, Riley, Owen, Ciara, Conor, Patrick and John (Jack); and sisters Geraldine McCabe Pratt and Kathleen McCabe Nugent.

She was predeceased by her husband, John Hewlett Keyes Belt; father, Bernard (Bobby) McCabe; mother Elizabeth (Biz) McCabe; and sister, Elizabeth M (Betty) Feeney.

Mary Jane's love of people, faithful spirit and bright, positive nature were gifts to the world. Her family will miss her terribly, but take solace in the fact that she is reunited with her beloved John, and the two are eternally with God.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mary Jane's favorite charities, St. Patrick's Church and Hospice Care Network, where she served on the board for 20 years.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on November 11, 2023, at St. Patrick's Church, 235 Glen Street, Glen Cove, N.Y. followed by a reception at The Creek Club in Locust Valley, NY.